Double Creek, Sturgill, Nebo, Goat Mountain Two Fires Update, September 28

September 28, 2022 
Daily Update – 8:00 AM 

Highlights: Today will be very similar to yesterday with hot, dry, and breezy conditions and lower fuel moistures with increased fire behavior where pockets of heat remain. Close monitoring of areas of concern will be conducted and resources are pre-positioned to respond quickly as conditions change. Post-fire suppression repair will continue in portions of all fire areas as safety and conditions allow. 

Double Creek Fire: 161,510 acres, 3,697 acre increase | 89% contained | 407 personnel assigned 

The northern edge of the fire remains active with some movement into the Cow Creek Drainage overnight. Monitoring of this area continues with crews prepared to respond as needed. Substantial daily progress is being made in suppression repair along the western edge of the burn area and should be completed within a few days. Change in acreage due to growth and adjustment for accuracy. 

Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires 

Sturgill Fire: 21,103 acres, 191 acre increase (adjusted) | 72% of objectives achieved | 60 personnel assigned 

Less active burning occurred in the northwest corner yesterday with little movement. Additional crews have been deployed to Red’s Horse Ranch to reinforce existing structure protection as a precaution. 

Nebo Fire: 12,602 acres, 2 acre increase | 78% of objectives achieved | 0 personnel assigned 

Goat Mountain 2 Fire: 548 acres, 12 acre increase | 0 personnel assigned 

Will continue to monitor these fires from aircraft as smoke and weather permits. The Goat Mountain 2 Fire generated most of the smoke observed yesterday with rocky terrain and bordering fire scars limiting fire spread. 

Weather: High temperatures will be from the mid 70s to mid 80s in most valleys, and up to the mid 90s below 3000 ft. Ridgetop temperatures will be in the 70s with relative humidity in the 10 to 20% range for all elevations. Breezy winds expected with gusts to 28 mph at ridgetops and to 23 mph in valleys. Humidity recovery will be good tonight with valley relative humidity reaching 70 to 90% and 60 to 70% on ridgetops. 

Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Temporary Area Closures:  Closure orders are in effect for the Double Creek, Nebo, and Sturgill Fires. Closure Orders and Maps are available here. Roads within area closures and Forest Service Road (FSR) 8250 east to the junction with FSR 8250-040, FSR 3900-100, and FSR 3900-200 remain closed. 

Road Closures: Upper Imnaha Road, Hat Point Road, Lower Imnaha Road, and Dug Bar Road are closed. 

Restrictions: Fire Restrictions are in place for the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Campfires should be in fire pits surrounded by dirt, rock, or commercial rings. Flammable material shall be cleared within a 3-foot radius and avoid overhanging limbs. Attend fires at all times and fully extinguish when not attended.